The Family Bit First
Well… my little boy got married.
After a year of planning, June 13th finally arrived, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Noah and Mattaya were married outdoors at his aunty’s beautiful property in the BC Interior, surrounded by around 80 family and friends. The weather couldn’t have been better—blue skies, warm sunshine, and just the right temperature for an outdoor wedding.
We had family travel from England and the Netherlands to celebrate with us, and having everyone together made the day even more special.
The ceremony was beautiful, the reception was so much fun, and there was plenty of laughter, dancing and, quite possibly, the best carrot cake I’ve ever eaten!
But for me, the most memorable part of the entire day wasn’t the ceremony—it was the speeches.
Listening to the bridesmaids and groomsmen talk about Noah and Mattaya gave me the chance to see my son through the eyes of the people who know him best. They spoke about them both with such affection, loyalty, respect and love that there wasn’t a dry eye in the room… mine included.
As parents, we hope we’ve raised kind, decent people, but hearing your child’s closest friends describe those very qualities is something incredibly special. I came away feeling immensely proud—not just because my son had married the love of his life, but because of the man he has become.
I’ve been proud of him many times over the years—graduating from university, buying his first home, working towards his master’s degree before turning 25, and watching him become a man of integrity with an incredible work ethic.
But nothing compares to watching him fall in love. Seeing the kindness and respect with which he treats Mattaya, and watching her love him just as deeply in return, has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
I hope you enjoy a few photos from their very special day.
The Real Estate Bit
The Fraser Valley market continues to move at a fairly steady pace. Compared to June of last year, new listings were down from 3,622 to 3,146, while sales dipped from 1,192 to 1,057. Buyers and sellers are still taking a measured approach, but well-priced homes continue to attract strong interest.
As I’ve been saying for months now, pricing is everything. Today’s buyers have lots of choice (especially the townhouse and condo market), and they’re incredibly well informed. Homes that are priced competitively are still selling relatively quickly, while those that start too high often sit on the market, require multiple price reductions, and ultimately sell for less than they might have if they’d been priced correctly from day one.
One statistic I am especially grateful for is my own. While the overall market has slowed, I’ve actually helped more families buy and sell homes during the first half of this year than I normally would by this point. In a quieter market, I certainly don’t take that for granted.
The reason is simple: you.
So much of my business comes from past clients introducing me to their friends, family and colleagues. Those referrals mean everything to me, and I’m incredibly thankful for the trust you continue to place in me.
As always, if you’re wondering what your home might be worth, thinking about making a move, or just have a real estate question, I’d love to help.
Here is the latest full Stats Package if you wish to take a deeper dive!
The Backyard Vacation: Making the Most of Summer at Home
Summer has a funny way of making us think we need to get away. But sometimes the best memories are made much closer to home. A backyard, balcony, front porch, or even an open window can become the setting for a summer you’ll remember.
Dine Outside More Often
Breakfast on the patio. Dessert on the deck. Coffee on the front steps before the neighbourhood wakes up. Eating outdoors—even once a week—has a way of making ordinary meals feel like an occasion.
Stay Outside a Little Longer
Summer evenings are some of the year’s best. Put your phones away, grab a blanket, watch the sunset, count the stars, or catch fireflies if you’re lucky enough to have them nearby. Sometimes the best entertainment is simply slowing down.
Let the Season Find You
Visit a local farmers’ market, stop at a roadside flower stand, pick up fresh berries, or explore a park you’ve never visited before. Summer has a way of rewarding curiosity, and home often feels even sweeter after a day spent exploring your own community.
Start a Summer Tradition
Create one simple ritual you’ll want to repeat every year. Maybe it’s homemade pizza every Friday, a family bike ride, Sunday morning pancakes outside, or taking the same photo in the backyard each month. Traditions don’t have to be elaborate—they just have to happen.
Home isn’t just where we return after summer adventures—it’s where many of our favorite summer memories begin. However you choose to spend the season, here’s to making the most of the long days, warm evenings, and simple moments that make summer feel like summer.
Feature of the Month
